A man riding a bicycle is accused of deliberately striking female pedestrians in the face as he pedaled past them in the blocks near the University of Pennsylvania campus, prompting an active investigation and boosted patrols from campus police. The reported assaults occurred mostly between 40th and 44th streets, from Pine to Chestnut streets, according to a safety advisory issued by Penn’s Division of Public Safety.
Complainants told investigators the man deliberately extended his arm while riding past, striking their faces, according to the advisory cited by The Daily Pennsylvanian. The suspect was described as a Black man in his late 30s or early 40s, with a dark complexion, medium build, and a light beard. Witnesses also reported seeing an orange carrier attached to the back of his bicycle, which Penn officials said may be consistent with a food-delivery service. The advisory did not specify the number or dates of the incidents, and no arrests have been announced.
Penn Public Safety said no one was seriously injured in the reported encounters, and the department said it is conducting a thorough investigation of this matter. Officials said Penn police and security have increased patrols in the affected areas while the inquiry continues.
Where the Reported Assaults Fall on the Map
The stretch between 40th and 44th streets sits along and just beyond the western edge of the university’s primary patrol zone, which officially runs from 30th Street west to 43rd Street and from Market Street south to Baltimore Avenue, according to Penn Public Safety. That means part of the area where the assaults were reported relies on shared patrol arrangements between Penn police and the Philadelphia Police Department rather than falling squarely within the university’s core coverage…